Anatomy and Physiology - Unit 2: Cell Biology, Membrane Transport, Protein Synthesis

What is DNA?

DNA contains the genetic instructions needed for a cell to function, grow, and make proteins.

Why must DNA replicate before cell division?

So each daughter cell receives a complete copy of the genetic information.

What is mitosis?

The division of a cell's nucleus to produce two genetically identical nuclei.

What is cytokinesis?

The division of the cytoplasm to form separate daughter cells.

What is the result of mitosis and cytokinesis?

Usually two genetically identical daughter cells.

Why is mitosis important?

It allows organisms to grow, replace damaged cells, and repair tissues.

What is a daughter cell?

A new cell produced when a parent cell divides.

Why do rapidly dividing cells need many mitochondria?

They need large amounts of ATP to power cell division, DNA replication, and cell activities.

What are mitochondria?

Organelles that produce ATP through cellular respiration.

What is ATP?

A molecule that provides usable energy for cellular processes.

What is the relationship between mitochondria and ATP?

Mitochondria produce ATP, which supplies energy for cell activities.

What is protein synthesis?

The process of using genetic instructions to build proteins.

What is the function of DNA in protein synthesis?

DNA stores the instructions for making proteins.

What is transcription?

The process of copying genetic information from DNA into mRNA.

What is mRNA?

Messenger RNA carries genetic instructions from DNA to a ribosome.

What is translation?

The process in which a ribosome reads mRNA and assembles amino acids into a protein.

What are ribosomes?

Structures that build proteins by reading mRNA instructions.

What happens if ribosomes are damaged?

Protein production decreases or stops, interfering with cell growth, repair, and normal functioning.

What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER)?

An organelle with attached ribosomes that helps fold and process proteins.

Why is the rough ER important?

It helps process proteins that will be transported to other locations or released outside the cell.

What is the Golgi apparatus?

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials.

What happens if the Golgi apparatus stops functioning?

Proteins may not be properly modified, sorted, packaged, or delivered to their destinations.

What are vesicles?

Small membrane-bound sacs that transport and store materials inside cells.

What is the pathway for a protein that will be secreted?

DNA → transcription → mRNA → ribosome/translation → rough ER → Golgi apparatus → vesicle → exocytosis.

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

It forms the cell's boundary and selectively controls which substances enter and leave.

What does selectively permeable mean?

The membrane allows certain substances to pass through while restricting others.

What is homeostasis?

The maintenance of stable internal conditions within a cell or organism.

How does the plasma membrane maintain homeostasis?

It regulates the movement of nutrients, oxygen, water, ions, and wastes into and out of the cell.

What are membrane transport proteins?

Proteins that help specific substances cross the plasma membrane.

What are membrane receptor proteins?

Proteins that receive chemical signals and trigger responses inside a cell.

What is cell signaling?

The process by which cells communicate using chemical signals recognized by receptors.

Why is cell signaling important in wound healing?

It helps coordinate cellular responses involved in tissue repair.

What is passive transport?

The movement of substances down their concentration gradient without requiring cellular energy.

Does passive transport require ATP?

No, passive transport does not require ATP.

What is diffusion?

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

In which direction does diffusion occur?

From higher concentration to lower concentration.

How does oxygen move from blood into body cells?

By diffusion, when oxygen concentration is higher in the blood than in the cells.

What is osmosis?

The net movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What is facilitated diffusion?

The movement of substances from higher to lower concentration through membrane transport proteins without ATP.

What is active transport?

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, usually from lower to higher concentration, using energy.

Does active transport require energy?

Yes, active transport uses energy, commonly supplied by ATP.

How is active transport different from passive transport?

Active transport requires energy to move substances against their gradient; passive transport moves substances down their gradient without ATP.

What is a concentration gradient?

A difference in the concentration of a substance between two areas.

What is exocytosis?

The process in which a vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane and releases its contents outside the cell.

Does exocytosis require energy?

Yes, exocytosis is an active process that requires energy.

What are the steps of exocytosis?

Materials are packaged into a vesicle, the vesicle moves to the plasma membrane, the membranes fuse, and the contents are released outside the cell.

How are vesicles and exocytosis related?

Vesicles carry materials to the plasma membrane, where exocytosis releases them outside the cell.

What is the difference between endocytosis and exocytosis?

Endocytosis brings materials into the cell; exocytosis releases materials outside the cell.

What is cell specialization?

The process by which cells develop structures and functions suited to specific jobs.

What is cell differentiation?

The process through which cells become specialized in structure and function.

How is mitosis different from cell specialization?

Mitosis produces new cells; cell specialization allows cells to develop specific functions.

Give an example of a specialized cell.

A red blood cell transports oxygen; a nerve cell transmits signals; a muscle cell contracts; a skin cell provides protection.

What is the role of skin cells?

Skin cells form a protective barrier and help protect the body from the environment.

How does the body replace damaged skin cells?

Mitosis produces new cells that can replace damaged or lost cells.

What happens to cells during wound healing?

Cells divide, make proteins, communicate through signals, transport materials, and develop specialized functions.

How does DNA contribute to wound healing?

DNA provides the instructions needed to make proteins and build new cells.

How does mitosis contribute to wound healing?

It produces new cells to replace damaged skin cells.

How does protein synthesis contribute to wound healing?

Ribosomes make proteins needed to build, repair, and maintain tissue.

How does the rough ER contribute to wound healing?

It helps process proteins needed by cells during tissue repair.

How does the Golgi apparatus contribute to wound healing?

It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for use inside or outside cells.

How does exocytosis contribute to wound healing?

It releases proteins and signaling molecules outside cells to support communication and tissue repair.

How does diffusion contribute to wound healing?

Oxygen and other substances can move from areas of higher concentration into cells where they are needed.

How does active transport contribute to cell function?

It moves substances against their concentration gradients to maintain necessary internal concentrations.

How does the plasma membrane contribute to wound healing?

It regulates the movement of nutrients, oxygen, water, ions, and wastes to help cells maintain homeostasis.

How do mitochondria contribute to wound healing?

They produce ATP to power cell division, protein synthesis, transport, and repair.

How do chemical signals help nearby cells?

They communicate information that helps nearby cells coordinate their activities.

How do new skin cells become functional skin cells?

They undergo cell specialization and develop the structures needed to perform skin cell functions.

Explain how at least three Unit 2 concepts work together during wound healing.

Mitosis produces new skin cells; ribosomes make proteins needed for repair; mitochondria provide ATP; the ER and Golgi process proteins; vesicles and exocytosis release certain materials; diffusion supplies oxygen; and the plasma membrane helps maintain homeostasis.

What would happen if a cell could not make proteins?

It would struggle to grow, repair itself, maintain its structures, and perform many essential functions.

What would happen if a cell could not produce enough ATP?

Energy-dependent processes such as active transport, cell division, and exocytosis could slow down or stop.

What is the main difference between diffusion and osmosis?

Diffusion describes particle movement down a concentration gradient; osmosis specifically describes water moving across a selectively permeable membrane.

Why do cells need both passive and active transport?

Passive transport moves substances down gradients without ATP, while active transport uses energy to maintain necessary concentration differences.

What are the three major ideas connecting cell biology to wound healing?

Cells must divide to replace damaged cells, produce proteins to rebuild tissue, and obtain energy and materials to support repair.